European markets close mixed heading to Christmas weekend

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - European indices closed mixed on Friday in limited session before the Christmas weekend, with markets trying to find direction against uncertainty as the new omicron coronavirus variant led to lockdowns.

The STOXX Europe 600, which includes around 90% of the market capitalization of the European market in 17 countries, fell 0.58 points, or 0.12%, to close at 482.43.

London's FTSE 100 lost 1.24 points, or 0.02%, to end at 7,372.

Despite thin trading, France's CAC 40 was the worst performer of the day, losing 19 points, or 0.28%, to 7,086.

Markets in Germany, Italy, and Spain were closed due to the Christmas holiday.

Germany's DAX 30 ended Thursday up 162 points, or 1.04%, to 15,756.

Italy's FTSE MIB 30 finished the previous session up 188 points, or 0.7%, to 27,016, while Spain's IBEX 35 closed 104 points, or 1.24%, to finish at 8,563.

The World Health Organization on Friday warned that the omicron is spreading significantly faster than the delta strain of the coronavirus.